I was first alerted to the coinage of the Roman General
Aureolus when I was given Clive Foss’ book, Roman Historical Coins, as a
Christmas gift in 1990. Until that time I was unaware of the series of coins
from the mint of Milan issued under his authority, albeit in another’s name.
Aureolus had been a military commander under the emperor
Gallienus, commanding the equities, the newly formed mobile army established at
Milan. He oversaw the victory over Macrinus as the Eastern usurper moved west
and advanced on Italy.
With the Eastern empire secured Aureolus then moved with Gallienus against Postumus. Something ultimately went wrong between Aureolus and Gallienus and in 267 he chose to take the side of the long standing western usurper Postumus. Gallienus besieged Aureolus at Milan but was murdered before the campaign was completed. It was clear that Postumus was either ambivalent or unable to help his ally and he surrender to the successor of Gallienus, Claudius II.
During his time in Milan, c. 267-8 AD, a series of base metal coins was struck by Aureolus in the name of Postumus. The mint name doesn't usually appear on coins of this period but the style is so distinct from the mainstream, coinage of Postumus. I have to say that I am somewhat sceptical of the extremely rare gold issues that exist in this series. Most, but not all, types honour the equites in the reverse legend.
The coins below are some of the examples of the small series from my trays:
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1. |
 IMP POSTVMVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right VIRTVS AEQVIT -/-//- Virtus walking right holding spear and trophy Milan Mint, Issue 1 Cunetio -; Normanby 1355 |
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2. |
 IMP POSTVMVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right FIDES EQVIT -/-//P Fides seated left holding patera and standard Milan Mint, Issue 3 |
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3. |
 IMP POSTVMVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right CONCORD EQVIT -/-//S Concordia left holding rudder Milan Mint, Issue 3 Cunetio 2483 |
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4. |
 IMP POSTVMVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right VIRTVS EQVIT -/-//T Virtus walking right holding spear and shield Milan Mint, Issue 3 Cunetio 2485-7 |
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5. |
 IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right SALVS AVG -/-//P Aesculapius standing left holding staff with snake entwined Milan Mint, Issue 5 Cunetio 2496 |
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6. |
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